Producer: Nino Franco
Wine: Prosecco di Valdobbiadene “Rustico”
Vintage: NV
Country: Italy
Appellation: Valdobbiadene DOC, Veneto
Wine Type: Sparkling
Primary Varietal: 100% Prosecco
Grade: B
Designation: Good and Cheap
Price: $15

Prosecco is one of my most favorite party-time bubblies – fun, festive, food-friendly and also pleasingly gentle on the bank account. Prosecco’s frothy bubbles are a result of the less expensive Charmat sparkling wine technique. Unlike Champagne’s traditional method where the secondary fermentation must take place in the bottle, with Charmat everything happens in a pressurized tank. Cheaper, this process produces wines with larger bubbles and less staying power than Champagne or Cava, but when you’re in the midst of splashing some peach nectar in your glass to make a delicious Bellini, you’re probably not going to be too worried about that. Prosecco’s appeal is in its light, fruity character and supreme drinkability. This is really not the time to be thinking about brioche and freshly baked bread, if you know what I mean.

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Nino Franco’s vines are planted in Valdobbiadene, the Veneto’s prime region for Prosecco production, and the “Rustico” version is just one of the many Proseccos that this producer creates. Crisp and snappy on the palate, this non-vintage sparkler gives aromas and flavors of green apple and honeysuckle. Very light-bodied, the bubbles are softer than expected, yet provide enough verve to be a perfect antidote to spicy foods.

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